Following on from our last post we have decided to lay out the foundations of a basic EMC test plan template. This basic template provides a means to at least determine how to formulate a template for your company for future compliance testing requirements. The test plan should be stored along with the test report, EMC testing quote and other technical documentation in the compliance folder for future reference. This helps trace back technical decisions and allows traceability.
Document identification
Document:
The EMC test plan ideally will have a unique document identification so internal to the company and external i.e. at the EMC testing laboratory you are both working on the same document. To ensure consistency within the working group and as changes are made to the test plan it advised to use version control.
Approval from QA/manager
Prepared by:
Approved by:
It is ideal to have a second person approve the test plan to ensure all the details are correct and that no technical points or relevant information are overlooked.
Company details
Company Name:
Company Address:
Contact Person:
Contact Email:
Contact Phone Number:
Obviously, the company conducting the testing should add their details. These details should include the full company name. Also the details of the company representative(s) organizing and liaising with any outside parties (the compliance testing facility), including contact details such as phone and email.
Product model number
Product Model:
Product Part Number
Product name and model number should be listed
Product variant models
Product variants:
Justification of worst-case variant for testing:
If any variant models in the range are to be included in the testing scheme. Usually, a worst case variant model is determined through pre-compliance testing. Alternatively, if a product range has a unit with additional options to other units this may be engineering decided by the manufacturer to the be the worst case variant for testing. This usually requires significant technical knowledge of the product and how they are constructed and operate.
Product description
The Equipment Under Test (EUT) is:
A description should include a basic overview of the product
Product environment
The product will be used in the following environments:
Typically this will be either consumer, light industrial, commercial, industrial, automotive, military, locomotive & train etc.
Required markets for product sale and EMC testing Requested standards
RCM for Australia and New Zealand (Emissions standards):
CE for Europe (Emissions standards) :
CE for Europe (Immunity standards) :
FCC For North America (Emissions standards):
Australia & New Zealand (RCM), North America and associated countries (FCC), Canada (IC) and Europe (CE). Many other countries will accept a test report against the relevant associated accepted FCC or CE test reports.
An example of a video product that incorporates compliant (CE, RCM and FCC) Bluetooth module would be:
EN 55032 (RCM and CE emissions requirements)
EN 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-3 (Additional CE emissions requirements for AC mains powered products less than 16Amps)
FCC part 15, Subpart B
EN 55024 (Immunity for ITE equipment) & ETSI EN 301 489-1 and ETSI EN 301-489-17
Much of the testing contained in the EMC Radio testing standard (ETSI EN 301 489 series) overlaps with the product standards (i.e. EN 55032, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3 and even some of the EN 55024 immunity testing). However, there is some additional testing and it is also some additional monitoring requirements that should be highlighted in the test plan.
Primary Power requirements
Input power (primary):
230VAC, 50Hz, 120VAC, 60Hz, 100-250VAC, 50/60Hz, 24VDC, internal battery, POE etc
Secondary Power requirements
Input power (Secondary):
If the product has more than one power source please specify.
Number of samples to be tested
The number of samples:
Usually this is only 1, however sometimes during surveillance visits or investigations by governing bodies, they will instruct compliance be performed on more than 1 product sample.
Wirelesses radio installed/integrated
Radio Manufacturer:
Radio Model:
Radio operating frequency:
Radio transmit power:
Radio modulation scheme:
Any existing approvals:
How many transmitters are installed and can they be used at the same time. If the product has an RF wireless communication capability then also add the additional EMC standards for Radio performance testing (if not already a compliant module and integrated correctly (see previous posts) and combined equipment EMC and Radio product testing requirements such as ETSI EN 301 489 series.
Useful tip: Usually the ETSI EN 301 489 part example: ETSI EN 301 489-3 can be determined by reviewing the radio performance test report for the radio module, example: EN 300 440 > ETSI EN 301 489-3. The radio performance test report may also indicate if the Radio module is a Transceiver, Transmitter only, Transmitter & Receiver, or receiver only.
Highest internal generated, used or tuned frequency
Highest used, tuned or generated frequency:
Usually this is the highest frequency of the main IC used in the product, however, it also includes the highest frequency used or tuned including frequencies used or tuned into by radio wireless device such as Bluetooth (approximately 2.5GHz), ZigBee etc.
Dimensions
Length:
Width:
Height:
Usually specific in a suitable metric quantity (mm, cm or m)
Weight
Weight:
Usually specified in kg
Typical use orientations of the product
Typical orientations of use:
Floor standing, portable, tabletop, fixed use (mains powered), vehicular use only etc.
Customer-defined emissions limits
Limit:
Usually, Class A and Class B limit spring to mind (such as FCC Part 15B and EN 55032). The limits depend on the standards and the intended environment. Typically the more stringent Class B limit levels are used for products intended in EMI sensitive areas or used primarily in a residential environment.
Magnetically susceptible product?
The ‘EUT’ is not and does not contain Magnetically susceptible devices: Yes / No
This applies for immunity testing only typically is only applicable for products containing hall sensors, CRTs and other magnetically susceptible devices.
Mode(s) of operation
Modes:
All modes of operation and configurations of the product should be listed.
Mode(s) of operation to be tested
Mode(s):
The worst case mode and configuration determined through investigative means or by engineering judgment that will be used for EMC compliance testing. What mode of operation requires testing, does the worst case mode need to be determined through investigative methods at a laboratory or through engineering assessment.
How is the product monitoring for testing
The EUT will be monitored during immunity testing by:
It is important prior to EMC testing that how any failures that may occur due to the application of the EMC immunity testing
Operation cycle/Duty cycle of the product
Duty cycle:
How long does it take for the EUT to complete its functions in the test mode and allow the assessment of compliance during emissions and immunity testing? Typically products are configured to have a fast duty cycle to reduce testing time and cost, usually less than 3 seconds.
Number of sides to be exposed to Radiated immunity
Number of sides to be exposed during testing =
Sides to be exposed during testing: Front / Back / Left / Right / Top / Bottom
The test shall normally be performed with the generating antenna facing each side of the EUT. When equipment can be used in different orientations (i.e. vertical or horizontal) all sides shall be exposed to the field during the test. When technically justified, some EUTs can be tested by exposing fewer faces to the generating antenna. You will be asked to supply information upon the justification for inclusion into the test report.
Number of cables of conducted immunity testing
Cables for Surge testing, Number of lines =
Cables for EFT testing, Number of lines =
Cables for Conducted immunity testing, Number of lines =
This can be dependent upon the standard, typically non-identical ports/cables including signal and other input/output ports including power are applicable for conducted immunity testing if they can have an end user functional length exceeding 3m.
Estimated setup time
Product testing setup time:
How long to set the product and the support equipment and put the product into its mode of operation for testing.
Customer declared configuration for testing
Supply a diagram of the proposed test product test setup. Additional comments or notes that are required to configure the product including any instructions for software etc should be stipulated.
Product port table/list for testing
Port 1:
Name of port:
Cable cores:
Cable shielded? Yes / No
Cable length:
Cable runs/connects directly to outside cable? Yes / No
Termination:
Conducted immunity testing?
Surge testing: Yes / No
EFT testing: Yes / No
Conducted immunity testing: Yes / No
Repeat the port(s) list for all ports that the product has, or alternatively produce a port table.
Additional information
Additionally, certain product standards have other particular requirements, these may need confirmation but checking the standard or alternatively seeking professional assistance from a knowledgeable source. You can find here our Word format basic consumer product type EMC testing template.
We are NATA accredited EMC testing facility located in Australia. We have automated modern specialized test equipment. Including emissions and immunity test equipment for testing modern electronic products. Contact EMC Bayswater and find out how we can help you with your EMC testing.
